Scot is pipped for the world ploughing title

THE Scottish representative, Andrew Mitchell jnr, from Forfar, narrowly missed out on the world ploughing title in New Zealand at the weekend, taking the runner-up spot behind Bruce Redmond, who was ploughing for the host country.

Mitchell, with his Ford tractor/Kverneland plough yoke took 404 points in the conventional section, behind Redmond's 424 winning total. In third place came Sam Gill, from Northern Ireland.

Overall, there were ploughmen and women from some 30 countries competing at the 57th world championships, which was held in Methven on the South Island.

In the reversible ploughing competition, overall victory went to Frenchman Fabien Landro with Irishman Tom Cochrane in runner-up spot and New Zealander Paul Hanson in third.

Scotland's Andrew Greenhill, from Perth, was in 21st place in this section.